Sealing ring with integral label holder

ABSTRACT

A sealing ring for use with a reel of the type including a central spool and spaced flanges and wherein the sealing ring comprises a strip of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop to encircle the reel and coacting latch means on the respective free ends of the loop operative to draw the free ends together to form a closed loop sealingly encircling the reel. The strip is formed as a continuous polyethelene extrusion of constant cross section and includes a main body portion of generally rectangular cross section, integral circumferentially extending ribs on the radially inner face of the main body portion adapted to fit within the spaced reel flanges, and a pair of spaced, integral circumferentially extending lip portions on the opposite side edges of the radially outer face of the main body portion. Each lip portion,in cross section, extends radially outwardly away from the radially outer face of the main body portion and then bends over toward the other lip portion to define a continuous inwardly opening groove extending around the strip and coacting with the confronting groove defined by the other lip portion to define a continuous, integral label holder on the radially outer face of the main body portion for selective receipt of a label at any circumferential location along the strip.

United States Patent [191 Osojnak SEALING RING WITH INTEGRAL LABEL HOLDER [76] Inventor: Boris M. Osojnak, 512 Roanoke Drive, Birmingham, Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 82,726

1,840,647 1/1932 Wheatley ..206/52 F Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Att0rneyDonald L. Wood [57] ABSTRACT A sealing ringfor use with a reel of the type including [451 May 29,1973

a central spool and spaced flanges and wherein the sealing ring comprises a strip of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop to encircle the reel and coacting latch means on the respective free ends of the loop operative to draw the free ends together to form a closed loop sealingly encircling the reel. The strip is formed as a continuous polyethelene extrusion of constant cross section and includes a main body portion of generally rectangular cross section, integral circumferentially extending ribs on the radially inner face of the main body portion adapted to fit within the spaced reel flanges, and a pair of spaced, integral circumferentially extending lip portions on the opposite side edges of the radially outer face of the main body portion. Each lip portion,in cross section, extends radially outwardly away from the radially outer face of the main body portion and then bends over toward the other lip portion to define a continuous inwardly opening groove extending around the strip and coacting with the confronting groove defined by the other lip portion to define a continuous, integral label holder on the radially outer face of the main body portion for selective receipt of a label at any circumferential location along the strip.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SEALING RING WITH INTEGRAL LABEL HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to sealing rings adapted to sealingly encircle a reel of the type having a central spool and spaced flanges. More particularly, it relates to a sealing ring for use with a computer tape reel. Sealing rings for use with computer tape reels desirably have some provision to receive a label to identify the contents of the computer tape on the reel. Various forms of label holders have been proposed for computer sealing rings but these holders invariably have been more or less restrictive with respect to the circumferential placement of the label on the ring. In addition, computer sealing rings of the extruded type have had no label holder provisions because of the constant cross section requirements of the extrusion process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved computer tape sealing ring.

A more particular object is to provide a computer tape sealing ring having improved and less restrictive facilities for receiving a label to identify the reel contents.

Another object is to provide an extruded computer tape sealing ring having label holder provisions.

The sealing ring of the invention includes a strip of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop to encircle a reel and coacting latch means on the free ends of the loop operative to draw the free ends together to form a loop sealingly encircling the reel. According to an important feature of the present invention, the strip is formed as a continuous extrusion of constant cross section and includes means, integral with the strip, defining a pair of grooves extending circumferentially around the strip adjacent the radially outer face thereof and opening inwardly, in confronting relation, toward each other to define a continuous, in-

tegral label holder on the outer face of the strip for selective receipt of a label at any circumferential location along the strip.

In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the strip includes a main body portion and the confronting grooves are defined by a pair of spaced, integral, circumferentially extending lip portions on the radially outer face of the main body portion. Each such lip portion, in cross section, extends radially outwardly away from the radially outer face of the main body portion and then bends over toward the outer lip portion to define a circumferential groove as aforesaid between itself and the adjacent radially outer surface of the main body portion.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the sealing the ring of the invention sealingly encircling a computer tape reel with the sealing ring appearing in cross section;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sealing ring of the invention removed from the tape reel and in an unlatched condition; and

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 33, 4-4, 5-5 and 66, respectively, of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The sealing ring of the invention, seen generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, is especially suited for use with a reel 12 of the type including a central spool 14 and spaced flanges 16, 18.

Sealing ring 10 includes a strip 20 of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop to encircle reel 12, latch means 22 on the free ends of the strip for drawing the free ends together to sealingly encircle the reel, guide means 24 for guiding the movement of the strip ends, and hook means 26 for suspending the sealing ring and encircled reel from a suitable rod storage member.

According to the invention, strip 20 is formed as a continuous extrusion of constant cross section. Strip 20 may be formed, for example, of low density polyethelene such as Eastman 1,830 or equivalent.

Strip 20, in cross section, includes a main body portion 28 having a radially inner face 28a and a radially outer face 28b. A pair of integral ribs 30, 32 is formed on the radially inner face 28a of main body portion 28 adjacent each side edge of the main body portion. Ribs 30, 32 are continuous and extend the entire length of strip 20. Each rib pair 30, 32 defines a continuous circumferential groove 34 and grooves 34 sealingly receive the outer peripheral portions of reel flanges 16, 18 when the sealing ring sealingly encircles the reel.

An integral, continuous lip 36 is formed on the radially outer face 28b of main body portion 28 adjacent each side edge of the main body portion. Each lip, in cross section, extends radially outwardly away from main body portion outer face 28b and then bends over toward the longitudinal center line of the strip to define a continuous circumferential groove 38 between itself and the adjacent underlying portion of outer face 28b. Grooves 38 open inwardly toward each other in confronting relation and together define a continuous integral label holder on the outer face of strip 20.

For example, a label 40 may be positioned, as seen in FIG. 2, immediately below latch means 22, 24 to readily identify the contents of a reel suspended by hook means 26. As seen in FIG. 5, the label is positioned on the outer face of the strip by inserting the opposite side edges of the label in continuous circumferential grooves 38. It will be seen that a label 40 may be positioned at any circumferential location on strip 20 and, once in place at any selected circumferential position, may be readily slid in confronting grooves 38 to any desired position of adjustment.

Altemately, if complete freedom of choice of circumferential label location is not required or desired, lips 38 may be staked to the underlying main body portion at spaced locations on the periphery of the strip to define a label pocket between the spaced stake locations. For example, as seen in FIG. 2, lips 38 may be staked at 42 and also at 44 to define a label receiving pocket between locations 42, 44. The configuration of the lips at a stake location is seen in FIG. 6. Staking may be accomplished, for example, by heat staking or sonic welding.

Main body portion 28 is bulged outwardly adjacent the longitudinal center line of the strip to provide an internal, radially inwardly opening circumferential groove 46 and a central external ridge or spine 48. Sping 48 provides a support surface for a label received in grooves 38 and also allows the invention sealing ring to be utilized with a bottom storage rack of the type disclosed in applicants U. S. Pat. No. 3,472,386 entitled REEL STORAGE APPARATUS. Groove 46 facilitates the accommodation of guide means 24.

The latch means 22 and guide means-24 utilized in the sealing ring of the invention are identical to the latch and guide means disclosed in applicants U. S. Pat. No. 3,424,303 entitled SEALING RING. The latch and guide means will not be described in detail here; details of their structure and function may be found in the referenced patent.

Briefly, however, latch means 22 includes a keeper member 50 secured by a rivet 52 to the radially outer face of one end of strip 20, and a three part hinged latch structure 54 secured by a rivet 56 to the radially outer face of the other end of strip 20 and adapted to coact in over-center or toggle fashion with keeper 50 to draw the free strip ends together and hold them in a latched configuration.

Guide means 24 includes an arcuately formed block member 58 secured within groove 46 by rivet 52 and additionally secured by a hook portion 58a extending upwardly through a hole in the strip and lipping over the adjacent radially outer face of the strip, another arcuately formed block member 60 secured within groove 46 by rivet 56 and additionally secured by a hook portion 600 extending through a hole in the strip and thereafter curving upwardly and over to constitute hook means 26, and a wire loop 62 having its free ends anchored in block member 60 and having its loop end slideably received in arcuate passages defined between block member 60 and the adjacent surfaces of strip 20. Wire loop 62 thus functions to guide, constrain and delineate the separating and closing movement of the free ends of strip 20 during latching and unlatching operations. The structure of the invention will be seen to provide a sealing ring having provision to receive a label at any selected circumferential position along the outer periphery of the ring. Further, the invention structure provides a sealing ring which may be formed in an extrusion process and which yet embodies provision for conveniently receiving a label.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a sealing ring for use with a reel of the type including a central spool and spaced flanges and wherein said ring comprises a generally flat strip of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop and coacting latch means on the respective free ends of said loop operative to draw the free ends of the loop together to form a closed loop sealingly encircling said reel with the flat strip lying in a circular plane concentric with the central reel axis, the improvement wherein said strip includes:

A. integral circumferentially extending means on the radially inner face thereof defining, adjacent each 6 flanges, and, axially inwardly of and adjoining the seating surface, an annular axially outwardly facing engagement surface adapted to engage the axially inner, radially outermost annular portion of the respective flange, and

B. means integral with said strip defining a pair of grooves extending circumferentially around said strip adjacent the radially outer face thereof and spaced radially outwardly of the circular plane containing said seating surfaces, said grooves opening axially inwardly in confronting relation to define a continuous, integral label holder on the outer face of said strip for selective receipt of a label at any circumferential location along said outer face.

2. A sealing ring according to claim 1 wherein said strip is formed as a continuous extrusion of constant cross section.

3. A sealing ring according to claim 1 wherein A. said grooves are defined adjacent the respective side edges of said strip with the axially outer-most portion of each groove disposed axially outwardly of the related engagement surface so that said label holder extends substantially the full width of said strip; and

B. the central portion of said strip is bulged outwardly to define l. a continuous, circumferentially extending central spine on said outer face between said confronting grooves and 2. a continuous, circumferentially extending radially inwardly opening groove on said inner face.

4. A sealing ring according to claim 3 wherein A. said latch means includes coacting latch elements positioned on said spine at the respective free ends of said strip; and

B. said sealing ring further includes coacting guide elements positioned within said radially inwardly opening groove at the respective free ends of said strip.

5. In a sealing ring for use with a reel of the type including a central spool and spaced flanges and wherein said ring comprises a generally flat strip of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop and coacting latch means on the respective free ends of said loop operative to draw the free ends of the loop together to form a closed loop sealingly encircling said reel with the flat strip lying in a circular plane concentric with the central reel axis, the improvement wherein:

A. said strip is formed as a continuous extrusion of constant cross section; and

B. said extruded strip includes 1. a main body portion,

2. integral circumferentially extending means on the radially inner face of said main body portion defining, adjacent each side edge of said main body portion, an annular radially inwardly facing seating surface adapted to sealingly engage the annular outer edge of a respective one of said flanges and, axially inwardly of and adjoining the seating surface, an annular axially outwardly facing engagement surface adapted to engage the axially inner, radially outermost annular portion of the respective flange, and

3. a pair of axially spaced, integral circumferentially extending lip portions on the radially outer face of said main body portion with each lip portion, in cross section, extending radially outwardly away from said radially outer face and central section of said main body portion is bulged outthen bending over toward the other lip portion to wardly to define define a continuous axially inwardly opening 1. a continuous, circumferentially extending central groove extending around said strip with the axispine on said outer face between said lip portions ally outermost portion of said groove disposed 5 and axially outwardly of the related engaging surface, 2. a continuous, circumferentially extending radially said grooves confronting each other to define a inwardly opening groove on said inner face. continuous integral label holder on the outer face 8. A sealing ring according to claim 7 wherein of said extruded strip for selective receipt of a A. said latch means includes coacting latch elements label at any circumferential location along said 10 positioned on said spine at the respective free ends outer face. of said strip and 6. A sealing ring according to claim 5 wherein said lip B. said sealing ring further includes coacting guide portions are disposed adjacent the respective side elements positioned within said radially inwardly edges of said main body portion so that said label opening groove at the respective free ends of said holder extends substantially the full width of said strip. strip.

7. A sealing ring according to claim 6 wherein the 

1. In a sealing ring for use with a reel of the type including a central spool and spaced flanges and wherein said ring comprises a generally flat strip of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop and coacting latch means on the respective free ends of said loop operative to draw the free ends of the loop together to form a closed loop sealingly encircling said reel with the flat strip lying in a circular plane concentric with the central reel axis, the improvement wherein said strip includes: A. integral circumferentially extending means on the radially inner face thereof defining, adjacent each side edge of the strip, an annular radially inwardly facing seating surface adapted to sealingly engage the annular outer edge of a respective one of said flanges, and, axially inwardly of and adjoining the seating surface, an annular axially outwardly facing engagement surface adapted to engage the axially inner, radially outermost annular portion of the respective flange, and B. means integral with said strip defining a pair of grooves extending circumferentially around said strip adjacent the radially outer face thereof and spaced radially outwardly of the circular plane containing said seating surfaces, said grooves opening axially inwardly in confronting relation to define a continuous, integral label holder on the outer face of said strip for selective receipt of a label at any circumferential location along said outer face.
 2. A sealing ring according to claim 1 wherein said strip is formed as a continuous extrusion of constant cross section.
 2. a continuous, circumferentially extending radially inwardly opening groove on said inner face.
 2. a continuous, circumferentially extending radially inwardly opening groove on said inner face.
 2. integral circumferentially extending means on the radially inner face of said main body portion defining, adjacent each side edge of said main body portion, an annular radially inwardly facing seating surface adapted to sealingly engage the annular outer edge of a respective one of said flanges and, axially inwardly of and adjoining the seating surface, an annular axially outwardly facing engagement surface adapted to engage the axially inner, radially outermost annular portion of the respective flange, and
 3. a pair of axially spaced, integral circumferentially extending lip portions on the radially outer face of said main body portion with each lip portion, in cross section, extending radially outwardly away from said radially outer face and then bending over toward the other lip portion to define a continuous axially inwardly opening groove extending around said strip with the axially outermost portion of said groove disposed axially outwardly of the related engaging surface, said grooves confronting each other to define a continuous integral label holder on the outer face of said extruded strip for selective receipt of a label at any circumferential location along said outer face.
 3. A sealing ring according to claim 1 wherein A. said grooves are defined adjacent the respective side edges of said strip with the axially outer-most portion of each groove disposed axially outwardly of the related engagement surface so that said label holder extends substantially the full width of said strip; and B. the central portion of said strip is bulged outwardly to define
 4. A sealing ring according to claim 3 wherein A. said latch means includes coacting latch elements positioned on said spine at the respective free ends of said strip; and B. said sealing ring further includes coacting guide elements positioned within said radially inwardly opening groove at the respective free ends of said strip.
 5. In a sealing ring for use with a reel of the type including a central spool and spaced flanges and wherein said ring comprises a generally flat strip of flexible material adapted to be formed into a loop and coacting latch means on the respective free ends of said loop operative to draw the free ends of the loop together to form a closed loop sealingly encircling said reel with the flat strip lying in a circular plane concentric with the central reel axis, the improvement wherein: A. said strip is formed as a continuous extrusion of constant cross section; and B. said extruded strip includes
 6. A sealing ring according to claim 5 wherein said lip portions are disposed adjacent the respective side edges of said main body portion so that said label holder extends substantially the full width of said strip.
 7. A sealing ring according to claim 6 wherein the central section of said main body portion is bulged outwardly to define
 8. A sealing ring according to claim 7 wherein A. said latch means incluDes coacting latch elements positioned on said spine at the respective free ends of said strip and B. said sealing ring further includes coacting guide elements positioned within said radially inwardly opening groove at the respective free ends of said strip. 